Author Gaby Soutar

When you’re a restaurant reviewer, there are practicalities beyond an elasticated waistband. Receipts, for one thing. Since I review incognito, and claim expenses, my bag is stuffed with valuable bits...

  They’re thinking of opening another branch of Edinburgh Castle, but on Portobello Beach.   There will also be a second Scott Monument beside Ikea at Straiton, and a Greyfriars Bobby...

Since I’m a cruel mistress, one of my favourite moments on a recent holiday to Italy was when my other half ate an olive straight off the tree. How I LOL’d as he spat and gurned like an llama eating a...

Some might say it’s not the season for soup. Along with snoods, Vaporub and crumpets, cullen skink, cock-a-leekie and miso have mostly been shelved until autumn. I, however, find it hard to have my daily...

I am getting on. My tastebuds are fading, my teeth crumbly and I have to squint to see the small print on menus. Constant reflux and cholesterol deposits in my retinas act as memento moris. With these jolly...

The best thing I ever saw on Leith Walk was a guy and his staffy in matching gold chains and black Adidas tracksuits. But now, halfway down, there’s something even better than the semi-canine version of...

I don’t know anyone who’s had a face lift. However, I imagine that a Simon Cowell/Jocelyn Wildenstein-esque transformation comes as a shock. This now beautiful restored building – once the North...

My husband’s family like to take part in a sport called extreme picnicking. This involves going out in a rainstorm, snow, hail, biblical midge swarm or other negative environmental event, unpacking lunch,...

When you have zero hip action, hula-hooping is tricky. I know this, since I recently tried the fitness experience that is Powerhoop. As the others in my class shimmied happily, with the hoop whipping...

It’s quilted, has a chain handle and costs over three grand (if it’s kosher Chanel and lambskin, or £12 for pleather that you secretly got down the Barras). I spotted four of the same handbag – one...